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Free Online Courses (MOOCs): A Complete Guide

Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is one of the most significant developments in distance education. It is a web-based platform that provides free online courses to a large number of student population online.

So if there is a particular course that you want to pursue in Australia, you can consider MOOC. Continue reading this post to learn more about MOOC.

How does MOOC Work?

This online study platform is where students get access to the best researchers and learn from readily available online resources.

Through this platform, students get the opportunity to download notes, listen to lectures, and share their viewpoint by communicating with peers — networking makes this experience feel like an online virtual classroom. Upon the completion of some MOOCs, you may also be eligible to apply for college credit.

MOOC Providers in Australia

Universities in Australia have developed their own MOOCs. Some of the MOOC providers in Australia include:

Open2Study: This is an initiative by Open Universities Australia (leading provider of online education) in collaboration with many Australian Universities.

Open Learning: This platform offers best online courses in Australia in partnership with the University of Canberra, University of New South Wales, and Taylor’s University.

MOOEC (Massive Open Online English Course): It offers courses in partnership with the University of Technology Sydney, University of Queensland, and Griffith University.

edX: It offers courses in collaboration with the University of Queensland and the Australian National University.

Coursera: It provides various MOOCs in partnership with Macquarie University, the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, the University of Western Australia, and the University of New South Wales.

5 Reasons to Explore MOOCs

MOOCs in Australia provide an unparalleled learning opportunity for students around the world. Here are a few reasons why you should take up MOOC:

1. Alternative to Other Learning Methods

Although most MOOCs do not offer any academic credit, some of the biggest recipients of MOOC are students enrolled in an educational program.

There are a few students who cannot cope with subjects in their academic career, and there are some who do not have the money to access special academic programs or tutors. For such students, MOOCs provide free educational assistance.

2. MOOCs Offer a Variety of Subjects

Compared to other academic institutions, MOOCs provide a plethora of academic as well as technical subjects. The courses may include theoretical mathematics for use in big data and artificial intelligence, middle school biology, community services courses online, and more. All the courses offered by MOOC are available to students in a well-organized manner.

3. Majority MOOCs are Free of Cost

Unlike a traditional degree or other paid online courses in Australia, you do not have to pay tuition fees for taking up MOOCs. However, if you want a certificate of completion or academic credit, MOOC providers will charge a fee.

4. Provides Lifelong Learning Opportunities

With MOOC, learning is fun ?— you can learn anything the way you want to. And you can also stop taking MOOCs anytime without worrying about losing out on tuition or hurting your academic record. This takes away all the pressure and makes learning an enjoyable experience.

5. You Get to Collaborate with Students Worldwide

There might be thousands of students out there who are pursuing the same MOOC as you are. You can reach these students from around the globe and chat with them to discuss the course details.

Steps for Taking a MOOC

If you are interested in pursuing a MOOC, you can sign up anytime with your professional email address. Here are a few additional steps that you need to take to ensure that your professional and academic goals are met.

Step 1: Find Out Why You Need to Take a MOOC

There might be several reasons why you want to take up MOOC. For instance, you may want to build your own app as a hobby, or you wish to obtain academic credit or certificate of completion.

You must keep in mind that, if you want to receive academic credit, you have to make arrangements with your school. Whereas, if you are going to get a certificate of completion, you may have to pay a certain amount of fees and take up the course during a fixed period.

Step 2: Consider Different Options

When choosing a MOOC, you must consider not just the study material but also the prestige of the institution that supports a particular course. Websites like MOOC List make it easier for you to search and compare several MOOCs as per your preference.

Step 3: Plan your Schedule Ahead

Before taking up a MOOC, make sure to plan your schedule. At least set aside a minimum of three hours per week for learning. You might need to put in a lot of effort to ensure that you are on top of the schedule.

Step 4: Familiarize Yourself with the Platform

Devote some time understanding and learning about the MOOC platform, especially its content, structure, and tools. This will help you to be familiar with the platform and use it efficiently.

Step 5: Make the Most of the Community

Try to find students with similar interests and connect with them to clarify all your doubts. You can also use the MOOC platform to share content that the community will be interested in.

Step 6: Do not Give up

When pursuing MOOC, there might be times when you feel like giving up. But remember, if you can maintain your routine and stay connected with the community, you will overcome every hurdle with ease and successfully obtain your certificate.

Lastly, before you start a MOOC, check out the platform, the course overview, and the course requirements. Also, determine how crucial it is for you to complete the course material provided and obtain a certificate.